Marks - William
Source: H. W. Beckwith Montgomery County, Indiana History (Chicago: HH
Hill, 1881) p 596 (thanks to Harry Bounnell for this
biography)
Capt. William Marks, engineer, Waynetown, was born March 4,
1829. His parents being poor, young William was early obliged to
work, and what education he has received he acquired by his own
exertions. At fourteen years of age he was apprenticed to a
baker, where he remained eighteen months. At the breaking out of
the Mexican war he enlisted in the 2d Penn. reg. Inf., and with
it started to join Gen. Scott at Very Cruz, December 26, 1846,
and remained in Mexico until the close of the war with that
country, being among the last who were called home. He was in the
company of men who captured Santa Anna's carriage at Cerro Gordo
at the time that personage escaped, leaving his "private papers
and cork leg", which item of history Capt. Marks corroborates.
Upon his return, in the summer of 1848, he worked in a foundry
for seven months, when he went on the only railroad then leading
into Indianapolis as fireman, and after two years was given
charge of an engine. In 1856 he settled on a farm in Vermillion
county, Illinois, where he remained three years, after which he
followed the profession of engineer until April 16, 1861, when he
answered President Lincoln's call for troops, but was rejected.
However, at the next opportunity he enlisted, and was mustered
into the 15th reg. Ind. Inf. At the battle of Stone River he
commanded Co. E, at that time being second lieutenant, where, in
a charge, eighteen of his thirty-two men were killed, yet they
took more prisoners than the number of men engaged upon the Union
side. In May, 1863, he received a captain's commission from Gov.
Morton for "ability and loyalty." He remained in the service
until June 25, 1864, when he was mustered out at Indianapolis,
and has since resided in Montgomery county. October 21, 1850, he
married Lucinda WHITTSETT, a native of Jennings county, Indiana.
They had eight children, four of whom are living: Mattie E. (Mrs.
David PENCE), George R., Minnie, and John W., At fourteen he
united with the Methodist Episcopal church, where he remained
until the fall of 1857, when he joined the Baptist denomination,
of which his wife was a member. He is an active Sunday-school
worker, a member of the I.O.G.T., and since 1863 has been a
member of the A.F. and A.M. In politics he is a
republican. - transcribed by Karen Bazzani Zach
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Source: Crawfordsville Journal June 5, 1917 p 1
Waynetown, June 5 - Captain William Marks, 88 years old, one of Montgomery County's most noted men died at his home on Orchard Street here this morning at 1 o'clock after a prolonged illness due to complications of old age. Mr. Marks was the only survivor of the Mexican War in Montgomery County. His skill and bravery in that conflict and later in the Civil War earned for him the rank of captain.
Capt. Marks was born March 4, 1829. His parents being poor, he was obliged to begin working at an early age and his education was acquired by his own exertions. At 14 years of age he was apprenticed to a baker, following this trade fo 18 months. When the Mexican war broke out he enlisted in the Second PA Regt of Infantry and with the command, started on December 26, 1846 to join General Scott at Vera Cruz. He remained in Mexico until the close of the war, being among the last of the soldiers to be calle dhome. Capt. Marks was in the company of men who captured Santa Anna's carriage at Cerro Gordo at the time that person escaped, leaving his private papers and his cork leg, an item of history that Capt. Marks has corroborated in recent years in relating war experiences to his friends.
However, at the next opportunity he enlisted and was mustered into the 15th Indiana Infantry Regitment. At the battle of Stone River he commanded Co E at that time being 2nd Lt. In a charge in that battle, 18 of his 32 men were killed, yet they took more prisoners than the number of men engaged in the battle on the Union side. In May 1863 he received a Capt's commission from Governor Morton "for loyalty and ability." He remained in the service until June 25, 1864 when he was mustered out at Indianapolis. The rest of his life was spent in Montgomery County.
On October 21, 1850, Capt. Marks was united in marriage with Lucinda Whittset, of Jennings County, Indiana. Eight children were born, four of whom survive: Mrs. Mattie E. Pierce, Mrs. Melanie Calahan; George H. Marks and John W. Marks.
At the age of 14 years, Capt. Marks united with the Methodist Episcopal Church where he remained until 1857 when he joined the Baptist Demonimation of which his wife was a member. He was active in church and SS work many years. He had been a life-long Republican. Funeral arrangements had not been arranged this afternoon.